Flow intermitter for cased wells



May 17, 1949. A. BOYNTON FLOW INTERMITTER FOR CASED WELLS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 23, 1943 ALEXANDER BOYNTON, INVENTOR,

A 7' TOR/VE Y.

May 17, 1949;

FiledAug. 25, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTOR/VE r. I

May 17, 1949. A. BOYNTON FLOW INTERMITTER FOR CASED WELLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 23, 1943 ALEXANDER a0 Y/V r0/v,

INVENTOR,

ATTORNEY.

Patented May 17, 1949 Aleizanaern'yjittn, San Antonio; 'Tex.-; siaa-sr Martin executrix of said Alexander Boynton,

deceased Appears-[ens ing 23, ie i; seem Nol' 499,650

My invention relates to fiow intermitters for casedwwells, and deals ,with the general subject of my Patents No.1 2,263,565,issued November 25, 1941; and No. 2,262,750, issued November18,,1 9,41.

The principal object isto .providej automatic meansffor. causinga well to fioww at predetermined intervals and during predetermined lengths oftime. I

.A further objectrlisto control the durationl of the flowing operation and the "interval ,between such operations .by means independent of gas pressure withirithewellf 3 H: o

vAnother object is to enable a well to be fiowed at predeterminedintervals and during predetermined lengths ofhtiirie without subjectingathe producing formation .of thewellto any pressure from the air or gas employed to lift the wel1 liquid, this result being accomplished by employing a packer or string ofpressure tubing surrounding. the flow tubing,, the annular spacebetween the two strings of. tubing being ,closedhermetically proximate their extreme ends.,\ still further object is to provide alflow intermitter which vwill cause flow devicestomoperate more efiiciently and without. manuaLcontrol at pressures which may be varied by adjusting the intermitter, .1 1 Another object is to provide an intermitter which may be operated by pressure fluid: ranging in ,valueefrom only slightly above the. atmosphere to that of .the pressure fluid employed by: it in flowingwells. M i a Afurther object is. to conserve natural gas and lengthen the natural-flowing life of oil wellsby closing the wells in before or when their gas begins to breakthrough the well liquidand by opening the wells again; when they have built up enough gas to flow them. I

Another object is to record thenumber of flowing operations during known intervals. I

In accomplishing the foregoingbbjects by means of the preferred construction, I employ a piston assembly within two aligned cylinders,

each one of the cylinders being connected with a source of compressed air or gas The pressure is reduced alternately inione of thefcylinders and then in the other cylinder by bleeding foff the pressure fluid thereby causing the piston assembly operative within the cylinders to' mo ve alternately in opposite directions and to actuate a plurality of valves which control the intermittent flowing operations to accomplish the stated objects, I

In the modified formla pressure regulator conclaims. (01. 121-124) tro1s the constant low pressure in one. nil-the cylinders, whilaafeeder and :a bleeder valve; are employed to alternately buildup an'd depl'ete the pressure in theother cylinder until. l-itlbecomes alternately more and less-than that .within the low pressure cylinder; The resulting intermittent diff erence-i-n pressures obtain-ing -.in thecylinders containing opposite ends of I thepiston *assembly causes the piston-assemblyto tnavel first! intone direction and then in the other; thereby-superating a pluralityof valves to accomplish the foregoing'objects- 1 2-, A latch retards themovement of the pistonassembly in: both directions, in order that any movement begun will be completed with certainty Thepiston assembly is adapted to operate four valves in the preferred embodiment and .two valves in the modified constructions Thesevalves -control the duration of the flowing period and theintervalsbetween suchperiod's.

- valves and;platform in Fig. l;-

Fig.3isaplanviewof-Fig. 1-.. v .r V -Figi-4 is across section about on the'line l ofFigsland 'l. l- J Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view partially in section of. a portion of .the operating: lever-and driving mechanism therefor incompletely shown Figs-6 isz-a CI'OSSiSBCtiOl'l! on the line26-Ezof Fig. 1.

Fig.1.? is. atypical horizontalsectionathroughthe center of the'cylinder, piston. and latch=of Fig.1, a portionof thepiston' being initopvview;

Fig. 8is aniisometric view, partiallyin-section, showing a portion of the 1-piston member within the cyli d r pa e member. 1 a .v -F;ig. ;9;i;is;- a view similar to Fig. 8 but revolved e tees- :1 q ,1

Similarcharacters of; reference-are employed to -designate similar parts throughout the several Referring particularly to the construction employediin Fignlg the casing head-fi is employed to form a hermetic seal between the wellicasing I and' thefl ow-tubing 2 proximately-abovecthe ground surface 4, the tubing being, positioned centrally-within the casing and surrounded by the annular space la.

A flow line connection or tubing extension nipple 5, which may be of the same diameter as the tubing 2, is shown connected to the tubing by the union 2a,, which is employed for convenience in assembling the intermitter and removing it from the well. The nipple 5 may be bent, as shown, and joined to a flow line leading to a production tank, not shown. Manifestly this nipple may be considered as an outward extension of the tubing or as an extension of said flow line joined to the tubing.

The nipple 5 is cut and threadedly joined to the tubing valve I51, which may be of the ordinary lubricated plug valve type. The operating lever I58 has one end pressed over or otherwise secured upon the operating shank I5Ia, into which shank the conventional lubricant screw I5Ib has threaded connection. The other end of the operating lever I58 is forked into two prongs I58a and I58b (see Fig. 5). These prongs proximate their outer ends may have, and are shown to have large clearance over the drive pin I66 and the roller I62. This clearance diminishes toward the fork of the prongs until at the fork the prongs have only slight clearance over the 5.;

roller I62. The length of the opening between the prongs I58a. and I561) is such that the roller I62 will remain free therein during the arcuate swing of the lever I58.

The drive pin bracket I59 has an opening I551) 1 adapted to register with the slot I I :i of the piston member and also has the openings I590 through which the cap screws I65 are adapted to be engaged in their connection within the bosses Hit of the double ribs IIh, as clearly appears in Fig. 5.

The drive pin I60, Fig. 6, which may have right hand threads on one end and left hand threads on the other end, by means of which it may be locked against rotation, has a close fit through the double flanges I59a. of the bracket I59 where it is secured by the nuts I63 and I64. The roller I62 has slight internal clearance over the pin I66 and slight end clearance with the flanges I59a of the bracket I 59, as appears in Fig. 6.

The central longitudinal bore I66a of the pin I60 is intersected by the cross bore I661). The lubricator screw I6I is adapted to close the bore I6Ila. The bores I60a and I662) may be filled from time to time with a lubricant for the purpose of lubricating the roller I62, as also appears in Fig. 6.

The clearance which the prongs I58a and I581) have over the roller I62 provides that the latch will be sprung and the piston assembly will build up a predetermined momentum in its travel before the load of opening or closing the valve I57 will be encountered, as is apparent.

For convenience in assembling and adjusting the stroke of the lever I58, the sleeve I66 may be secured upon the nipple 5 by the welds I66a (see Fig. 4). The adjusting ring I6I, threadedly engaged over the sleeve I66, may be locked by the ring I68, also having threaded engagement over the sleeve I66. It is apparent that screwing the adjusting ring I6! upward will raise the outer and inner tubing clamps 38 and 39 supporting the cylinder and piston assembly, and thereby will lengthen the arcuate swing of the operating lever I58, and that the swing of this lever will be decreased by screwing the ring I6I downward, followed by the clamps 38 and 36.

The cylinder assembly consisting of the cylinder spacer member 6, having the external longituhead He has a similar extension IIe.

dinal reinforcing ribs 6m and the right and left end cylinders I and 8, is secured upon the nipple 5 by the upper clamp bolts 46 (Figs. 3 and 4) and the lower clamp bolts II (Figs. 3, 4 and '7), which bolts are received through openings in the tubing clamps .58 and 39.

The lower nuts 43 may be beveled and received within corresponding countersinks in the clamps, in order to securely and adjustably position the bolts centrally within the openings through the clamps. The similar upper nuts 42 of the bolts 46 may be similarly engaged through the clamps.

The two lower clamp bolts AI are engaged threadedly within the bosses 6d and 6e of the cylinder spaced member 6, Fig. '7, while the two bolts 46 are received through openings in the supporting flange 60, Fig. 4, to which flange these bolts are locked by the upper nuts 42.

The cylinders I and 8 are aligned with the spacer member 6. The right end cylinder I has its flange 70. secured to the flange 6a of the spacer member by the bolts 9, and the left end cylinder 8 has its flange 8a secured to the flange 6b of the spacer member 6 by the bolts I 0.

The piston member II (see Fig. '7), has at one end the piston head III), closely slidable within the right end cylinder I, and has at its other end the similar piston head I I0, closely slidable within the left end cylinder 8. The right end piston head I II) has a threaded extension I Id, and the piston The U cups or other form of packing I2 and I3 and the spacer rings It and I5 separating these cups, each has a central opening which closely receives the threaded extensions Md and He, respectively. The piston member II has one of its ribs expanded into the double ribs IIh, having between them the slot IIy' (see Figs. 5, 7 and 9). This slot has slight clearance with the sides of the prongs I58a and 1581), and is of such length and depth that the lever I58 is free to swing far enough on either side of a perpendicular line through the center or the valve I51 to open this valve when the piston assembly is at its extreme a. left, as in Fig. l, and to close it when the piston assembly moves to the extreme right, the latter movement of the lever being indicated by its position I58.

The dashpot plunger I6 has threaded connection with the extension II d, and serves to lock the U cups I2 and the spacer ring I4 together and to hold them assembled against the end of the piston head IIb. Likewise, the U cups I3 and the spacer ring I 5 are held assembled against the end of the piston head I I0 by the dashpot plunger H. The U cups I2, closely slidable within the cylinder l, face the outer end of that cylinder, and the U cups I3, closely slidable within the cylinder 8, face in the opposite direction.

The cylinder I has the dashpot pocket lb. The cylinder 8 has a similar dashpot pocket 81).

The dashpot plunger I6 is tapered slightly, as appears in Fig. 7, and has very slight minimum clearance, such as one sixty-fourth inch, within the dashpot pocket Ib whenever it engages therein at the end of the piston travel in that direction. Likewise, the dashpot plunger I1 is tapered slightly also, and has similar clearance within the dashpot pocket 6b whenever it engages therein at the end of the piston travel in the opposite direction.

The latch, shown sectionized in Fig. '7, is for the purpose of delaying the movements of the piston assembly until sufficient energy is exerted upon either end thereof to complete the piston travel in the opposite direction; This latch is similar in operation to that disclosed in my PatentNo. 2,329482, issued September14, 1943.

The latch shell I8 is: secured against the cylindenspacer' member Bbythenlamps 29 and 30, engagedwith thebossest and-6g, respectively, of the spacer member 6 by thecapscrews fl and 32, respectively. The-rendsbf theshell I8 are closed hermetically by the caps 19 and 20 engaging upon the packings a (see 7).

Proximate its ends, the latchshaftZl has the latching recesses 2 la adapted to be engaged by the latch balls 22. The ball riders 23 urge the latch balls inwardly againstthe-latch' shaft and against the ball floors 24"by- -force of-the coiled springs 21; both-ball riders-and springs having some clearance'within- -the-shell l8." Each of the ball'floors 24 maybe placed'rin proper "position by being engaged threadedlywith the shell and securedvin proper position by the lock rings 24a. Each gland 25 may have threaded connection within one of the spring bases-23, in order to compress properly the packings 25. The latch balls may be engaged to the maximum depth of the recesses 2 la at either end of the shaft 21, as shown, or the force of this engagement may-be made less,- as required byscrewing the ball floor. 24 and the lock ri-hg' 24a-farther outward, in order that the latch balls will engage less deeply within the recesses 2l'a. It will be understood that the parts 22, 23,-24,-- 24a, 25,450, 26, 21, and 28 are duplicated at each end of the latch'assembly, and that the latch shaft 2|, formed the same at both-ends,-engages withthe latch balls in the same manner at each end, although the force ofthis engagement may-be varied at either end by adjusting the positionof the ball floor 24 and the lock ring 24a, as above stated.

The latch is operated by the movements of the piston member II, the latch-driver .pin33 being 1- secured at oneend withinthe enlargement Hg oflthe. piston-member as appears in Fig. '7 .and havingnits outer extension.:33a of. reduced diameten engaged within the central transverse opening :through theclat-ch shaft 'ZIr. The slot Illa of th shell l8 andthe slot 6k of the cylinder "spacer member 6 register and are of such width and length, that thepin 33. may slidefreely therein during the piston movements.

Each endof the latch 111bIiCatOIp1p 34, Fig. 1, issecureduponthe shell l8 by one -of the weldsi34a... By removing-the lubricatorplug 35, theilatchmay be provided witha lubricant which will be confined by the packings Y25 and 25a, the latch ,shaft 2| remaining slidably engaged with the .packingZE during all movements of the latch.

Obviously the latch maybe omitted and the difference betweenthe. force, required to. overcome frictional resistance. of. the parts at rest and inmotion may be reliedupon to replace the latch;

The mechanical counter 36, many types of which are available, )may be secured upon the boss fih' of the eylinder'spacer member 6 by the counter cap screws 31 (see Figs. '1, 4, 8 and 9), where it will be actuated to count the well flowing operation by impact of the'extension "33a of the latch driver pin 33;slidable within the slot l8b of the latch shell 18.

Proximately beneath the-cylinder'spacer member 6, the platform is secured upon thenipple 5 by -mea-ns of the U-bolts 46- engaging around the nipple 1 5 and a through the clamp portion 15. This platform has slots properly positioned to adjustably receive the severalstrap-bolts' 54, hav- 6 ingtheir nuts engagefl against the netl'rer side of the platform for tlie p'iirpose oi' securing lithe several ivalves shown niliiil'ited upon! it.

The four: valves securelm iiiounted upon the platform 44 may be of the ordinary lubricated plug valve type, asshowim Tw'o -of these valves are opened simultaneouslab by substantially: degrees rotation of their operating levers;- whil'e the other two. are closed snriultaneously' by a movement evenly divided on eitherside i of a lli'ne projected i vertically. through '1 the center of the valves. The valvesare staegred as shown in Fig. 2, two of them facing in one direetion' and the other two facing :in tne opposite direetion. This arrangement provides that 'two' 'of the valves will be opening while the other two will be" closing, if installed as' usuallt' "manufactured, without the necessity ot reversing their ports.-

The four valves 48, 49, 50, and 5| are-supported by removable bases' which provide that all valves I =will have their operatingshanks on the same horizontal planefiif valves- 0f different sizes be employed; The iiist feeder'valve n and its base 59' are secured 'Mpen the -DIatiOrm M by one of the strap bolts 54. The firstbleeder valve :9 and its base 59 are-'seeui ed upomthe platform by a second str ap bolt 54 3 The "se'con'd bleeder valve '58 and'its base fiwarelsecured upon the platfo'rmby the third Stihp'ibblt) "54. The second feeder valve 5| and its base 60' aresecuredupcn the platform-by the 'fourth scram-exhaust.

The operating lever"'62 ,pressed bver the operating-shank 48d of the valvefiwfi 'has -the slot sl a whichslidablyreceives the driv pin 68. The operating lever .63, pressed-" over the --op'eratiiig shank d9a of the valve 49, has tl'ie' slot'fiw'which slidably receives the: drive *pi'n fih The -operating lever 64, pressed oventhe operatin'g sharik tfla of the 'valve 50, has the-slot EM" which slidably receives thedrive pin-101 Thebperating' lever 65-, pressedoverthe" operating shank 5la-ot=the valve 5|, has the slot'65'cv=whicli slidably receives thedrive pin 11.

The slots-62a; 63kt, 64ctmand '65a-"arle of -proper length to allow full swing ofthe levers to open and close the' valves The slots 44a of the 'platfbr-m 44 -which"re'- ceive the strap bolts 58'; are 0f such-length that the position of the valves secured uponthe platform may be adjusted so that tli -operati-ng-levers will impart the proper movement-to openand close the valves.

The drive pins6& ,llt'arid 'lli'which-may be of' equal diametersand qengthsfiare each secured within the enlar menti i of oneofthe ribs lla of the piston mmber lHand-are at such distance'apart thattli levers 63 and 65 will be parallel with each otlier 'arid that'the lev'ers 62- and fi i'will be'likewise'parallel with each other. The slot 67 0f the spacer in'ernber;6 (see Fl gs-4 and 8)" is or such width and leng'tii thatth drive pins 68 to H; both'dnclusive are slidable 'freel-y therein during the full length-bf the piston stroke in both directions.

The reasons why-two valves 'on" one-side'of'the platform will be set to 'open while theother two valves on the other side closeJwill appeanfurtimer on from the functidns-oithSe valves and of the conduitsinto wh-ieh they are connected.

The pressure supply linelfa has connected-into it the Valve Hd'and the-T's NW, 14} and-l5, and terminatesat the check-"valve' ll 'with which it has connection.

The pressure-supply line lt can be'closed by the valve 13a and have oomrmiiiibatifltviththe annular space Ia as a source of pressure fluid. This line is shown branched and connected to the boss 3a of the casing head for that purpose, the other casing head bosses being closed by the plug 3b.

The emergency pressure relief conduit i8 has one end connected into the check valve 'ii and the other connected into the T 8!.

The first pressure conduit 88, having connected into it the Ts SI, 82, 83, and 88, has one end connected with the first receiver i9 and the other end connected with the right side lubricator reservoir I88.

The first feeder conduit 85, connected into the T 15, has connection with both ends of the valve 48 and with the T 83. The first charger timing valve 88, which may be a needle valve, is connected into this line between the T 83 and the valve 48.

The second feeder conduit 88, connected into the T 18, has connection with both ends of the valve 5| and with the 'l 8?. The second charger timing valve BI, which may be a needle valve, is connected into this conduit between the T 8! and the valve M.

The second pressure conduit 88, having the Ts 86, 91, and 98 connected into it, has one end connected into the second receiver 85 and the other end connected into the left side lubricator reservoir WI.

The first bleeder conduit 8?, having the first bleeder timing-valve 88, which may be a needle valve, connected into it, has connection with the T 82 and both ends of the first bleeder valve 49, which is adapted to discharge to atmosphere,

as appears in Fig. 3.

The second bleeder conduit 82, having the second bleeder timing valve 83, which may be a needle valve,-connected into it, has connection with the T 88 and both ends of the second bleeder The branch line I85 has connection with the T I84 of the pressure supply line i3 and also has connection with the T I 89.

The oil reservoir E88, having Within it the perforated baflle tube l88a secured to it by the weld I881), and the similar reservoir I8l, having within it the perforated baffle tube l8Ia secured to it by the weld I8Ib, may be filled with oil which will follow the piston assembly and lubricate the cylinders. The lubricator reservoir I88 is connected into the boss 50 of the cylinder I, and the reservoir I8I is connected into the boss 80 of the cylinder 8. These oil reservoirs may be filled by removing the pressure gauges l8? and I83 or the bushings into which they are shown connected. The plug 1e engaged within the boss Id of the cylinder II, and the plug 8e engaged within the other similar boss 8d of the cylinder 8, provide means for draining the cylinders.

The first charger timing valve 88 controls the time required to build up pressure within the receiver I8, and the second charger timing valve 9| controls the time required to build up pressure within the receiver 95. These valves regulate the interval between fiowing operations, as will appear further on.

The first bleeder timing valve 88 controls the time required to bleed off pressure from the receiver l9, and the second bleeder timing valve 83 controls the time required to bleed ofl" pressure from the receiver 95. These valves regulate the duration of the flowing operations, as also will appear further on.

Operation, Fig. 1

In operation of the intermitter illustrated in Fig. 1 compressed air or gas of proper value to flow the well will be supplied through the pressure supply line I3 via the valve 13a or by the well itself. In the beginning, it will be assumed that the piston assembly is at the extreme left as shown in Fig. 7. The valve operating levers then are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, The first bleeder valve 49 and the second feeder valve 5| are open, while the first feeder valve 88 and the second bleeder valve 58 are closed. The tubing valve I5! is open. This begins the flowing operation. The open first bleeder valve 88 is then draining pressure fluid to atmosphere out of the first receiver l9 through the first bleeder timing valve 88, which valve is so adjusted as to reduce the pressure slowly in the receiver 78. At the same time, the open second feeder valve 5| is discharging pressure fluid into the second receiver 95 through the second charger timing valve 8i, which valve is adjusted to build up pressure slowly within the receiver 95. The valve 88 is closed so that it will not allow pressure fluid to enter the receiver I9 while the valve 89 is discharging pressure fluid out of it. At the same time, the second bleeder valve 58 is closed, so that it will not discharge pressure fluid out of the receiver 85 while the Valve 5| is discharging into it.

The piston assembly being at the extreme left, as in Fig. l, and pressure fluid force being built up within the second receiver 95 while similar force is being depleted within the first receiver l9, it is apparent that the piston assembly will travel to the extreme right and close the tubin valve I5? whenever the difference in pressures within these receivers is sufficient to cause the latch to be sprung.

When the piston assembly moves to the extreme right, opposite from its position shown in Fig. '7, the valves 48 and BI will be closed and the valves 88 and 58 will be open. This terminates the flowing operation. The first bleeder valve 89 is closed then, in order to allow pressure to build up within the receiver I9 through the open first feeder valve 88. At the same time the second feeder valve 5| is closed, in order to allow the open second bleeder valve 58 to reduce the pressure within the receiver 95.

The piston assembly being at the extreme right, it is obvious that with pressure building up within the receiver 18 and being depleted within the receiver 95, the piston assembly will return to the left and again open the valve I51 whenever the difference in pressures is such as will cause the latch to be sprung.

The tubing valve I57, being adapted to be opened .by approximately a 90 degrees clockwise movement and to be closed by a reciprocatory movement, will function to initiate flow through the tubing 2 whenever this valve is open and there is adequate pressure fluid within the annular space la. The piston assembly being moved in the reverse direction from that which opens the valve I57, this valve, of course, will close -9 and interrupt the flowing operation; thereby accomplishing intermittent flow of'the well.

The latch, for example, may be adjusted to springat ten or twenty pounds difference in the pressures obtaining within the receivers 19 and 95, provided these receivers are of such capacity that the piston displacement will cause somewhat less than ten or twenty pounds difierence in these pressures, as the case may be.

The adjustment of the first bleeder timing valve 88, which bleeds pressure fluid out of the receiver l9, and the adjustment of the second charger timing valve -9I, which governs the flow of pressure.

fluid into the receiver 95, determine the duration of the flowing operations.

The adjustment of the first charger timing valve 86, which controls the inflow of pressure fluid to the receiver 19, and the adjustment of the second-bleeder timing valve 83, which controls the discharge of pressure fluid to atmosphere out of the receiver 95, determine the intervals between flowing operations.

For purposes of subsequent discussion, it is assumed that twenty pounds difference in the pressures within the receivers 19 and 95 will be sufficient to spring the latch at either end and to cause the piston assembly to complete its travel in either direction. Then if it be desired, for example, to flow the well for one hour each time, this may be accomplished by slightly opening the first bleeder timing valve 33 so that it will deplete twenty pounds of pressure out of the receiver l9 during one hour, and by slightly opening the second charger timing valve 9! so that it will permit the pressure within the receiver 95 to build up twenty pounds during one hour. Proper adjustment of the valves 88 and 9!, of course, will provide any other desired flowing time.

If it be desired that the intervals between fiowing operations be two hours, for example, this may be accomplished by adjusting the first charger timing valve 86 so as to allow twenty pounds of pressure to build up within the first receiver 19 during two hours, while the second bleeder timing valve 93 is adjusted to allow twenty pounds of pressure to be depleted out of the sec ond receiver 95 during two hours. Any other desired interval between flowing operations may be obtained by making proper adjustments of the valves 86 and 93, as is apparent.

In beginning the operation of this intermitter, the valves Ill! and H18 may be left closed, if it be desired to use low pressures to actuate the piston assembly. In such case, the operating pressures will vary alternately from zero to twenty pounds in opposite ends of the cylinders, because when the device is first installed with the piston assembly positioned as in Fig. 7, there is no pressure in either end of the cylinders, and the valve placifig pressure in the left end cylinder 8 is open, while the valve 49, adapted to bleed pressure from the right end cylinder 1, is open also. This practire is to be preferred, if the well will not pump off during the flowing operations.

If the well will pump off durin the flowing operations, or is apt to do so, preferably the same pressure employed within the annular space to flow the well should be employed also within the cylinders to operate the piston assembly. This is so, because the intermitter is made to terminate automatically the flowing operation by closing the valve I51 whenever gas blows through from bottom when the well cleans itself, if the same pressure is employed to operate the cylinders as that employed to flow the well. This termination is accomplished by means ofthe check valve 11. 4

In employing the same pressure to operate'the piston as that employed to flow the well, begin using the intermitte'r by first opening'the valvfs H11 and I08 simultaneously. Pressurefluid then will enter'through the initial equalizingcondij it 106 leading out of the supply line '13 'a IlQ QIl IIlZ within the receivers Ill and 95. Theble'ede' yalve 49, being then open and depleting pr'e'ssiir'ejwltliin the receiver 19, while the 'feeder valve 5! ischarging pressure fluid into the receiver Bifis open also, it is evident that'the saine mestress that employed to flow the well will be employee then to operate the piston assembly, as will 'e understood from the previous description ofthis mechanism. H

Whenever the weight of the wel iiiiuijd within the eduction tubing zbec'omesle s's than the ice of the pressure fluid employed to new, the well, the contents of the tubin will be 'ekpelle'dfin the form of a slug. As the upper 'e'nd o'f this s g passes out through the flow lineconnectiiii in f: ple or tubing extension 5, the portion 6f the "s still remaining in the tubing 2 will 'mov a ster and faster as more of the slugis expe'll'e'd, f the result that pressure fluid will bejwithdratvn rapidly from the annular space 12;. Th 7 se ses the pressure within the annular space fla 'tefribp sharply then, resulting in the opening 6 check valve 11, which then "dischargespr'e fluid out of the receiver 19 into the line 13"a'nd he annular space Ia. When pressure within the re} ceiver 19 drops slightly from theloss of press e fluid through the check valve 11, the piston assembly will move to the right, ther'el'oiy closing the valve I51 and terminating the flowing operation,

as hereinbefore explained. v a

Attention is directed to the fact thatwhe'n the well cleans itself as stated in the preceding pert, graph, the first bl'eeder valve 49 has beenrd'ficing the pressure within the receiver 19 since me How;- ing operation began and that conse'q'uentlj he check valve 11 will be required to iedue'e tf's' pressure only slightly more in order lie-terminate the flowing operation. In practice, this is ac: complished before the slug is expelled completely or almost instantly afterward, because the opera-- tor will adjust the flowing time so that a blowthrough from the bottom ordinarily will here cur, but if it does occur, this will happen y when only one or two pounds less pressure wit n the receiver 19 will result in terminating the new:

ing operation. The well being flowed by external pressure' if the valve i be opened just far enough to into the annular space Ia only enough gas flow the well, then when the well blows, thi'fou I from bottom, the pressure in the annular s will decrease rapidly. 4 r V The fact that the check valve 11 automatically will reduce pressure within the r'ec'eiyer, T whenever a well cleans itself, and thereby ter minate the flowing operation, is one of the portant features of this invention; for withotit suchemergency provision, gas'irom the supply line 13, if the well be flowed by presfsure fr o' a: source other than the well itself, would w through the well until the bleeder valvefi corn? pleted the necessary reduction of pressure within. the receiver 19 to terminate the flowing epeiatiii in the usual manner. M If any pressure interme'diateiof the assumed minimum pressure of twenty pounds and he desired to operate employed to' flow the well 1 i the piston assembly, that purpose can be accomplished by connecting a pressure regulator into the branch line I95 between the pressure supply line 13 and the equalizing conduit i043.

It is evident that a packer may be set between the tubing 2 and the casing I, proximately above the lower end of the tubing, in combination with a check valve in the tubing, for the purpose of preventing pressure fluid within the annular space I a from contacting the producing formations of the well.

Manifestly the latching mechanism may be disposed in alignment with the piston, as in my copending application, Serial No. 412,871, filed Sep tember 29, 1941, Patent Nov 2,402,728, issued June 25, 1946, such construction being preferred where the added length is unobjectionable.

Obviously many minor changes in construction and arrangement of parts, as well as the substitution of mechanical equivalents for parts shown, may be made within the scope and purpose of the stated objects and appended claims, and I reserve the right to make such changes, arrangements, and substitutions.

I claim:

1. In a flow intermitter of the class described, the improvement which includes: right and left end aligned cylinders having dashpot pockets; an operating piston member having one of it ends slidable in one of said cylinders and having its other end slidable in the other of said cylinders, said piston member having dashpot plungers at its ends to enter said dashpot pockets; latching means for delaying the movements of said piston member in each direction; a lubricator reservoir upon the outer end of each cylinder and communicating with the same; a platform held in spaced relation to said piston; a support for said platform and said cylinder, a first feeder valve, a first bleeder valve, a second feeder valve, and a second bleeder valve upon said platform; means for operating said feeder and bleeder valves by said piston, one feeder valve and one bleeder valve being open While the other feeder valve and the other bleeder valve are closed; first and second receivers for pressure fluid; an initial equalizing conduit connecting said receivers; a source of pressure fluid; two valves in said initial equalizing conduit, said initial equalizing conduit having connection between said valves with said source of pressure fluid; a first conduit connecting said first receiver and one of said lubricator reservoirs; a second conduit connecting said second receiver and the other said lubricator reservoir; a first feeder conduit connected into said source of pressure fluid, with both ends of said first feeder valve, and with said first conduit, there being a first charger timing valve in said first feeder conduit; a first bleeder conduit connected with said first conduit and with said first bleeder valve, there being a first bleeder timing valve in said first bleeder conduit; a check valve controlled emergency pressure relief conduit connected between said source of pressure fluid and said first conduit, the check valve opening away from said first conduit; a second feeder conduit connected between said source of pressure fluid and said second conduit and having said second feeder valve therein, said second feeder conduit having a second charger timing valve therein; a second bleeder conduit connected between said second conduit and said second bleeder valve, there being a second bleeder timing valve in said second bleeder conduit; a lubricant in each said lubricator reservoir; and a mechanical counter operated 12 by force of said piston, whereby gradually augmented pressure fluid force is exerted alternately upon one end of said piston and then upon the other while pressure fluid force is dissipated from the opposite end and the number of each operation is recorded.

2. In a fllow intermitter of the class described: right and left end aligned and spaced cylinders; a piston member having one of its ends slidable in one of said cylinders and. having its other end slidable in the other of said cylinders; a lubricator reservoir upon the outer end of each of said cylinders; a platform located in spaced relation to said piston; a first feeder valve, a first bleeder valve, a second feeder valve, and a second bleeder valve upon said platform; means for operating said feeder and bleeder valves by said piston, one feeder valve and one bleeder valve being open while the other feeder valve and the other bleeder valve are closed; first and second receivers for pressure fluid; an initial equalizing conduit connecting said rceivers; a source of pressure fluid; two valves in said conduit, said conduit having connection between said valves with said source of pressure fluid; a first conduit connecting said first receiver and one of said lubricator reservoirs; a second conduit connecting said second receiver and the other said lubricator reservoir; a first feeder conduit connected into said source of pressure fluid, with both ends of said first feeder valve, and with said first conduit, there being a first charger timing valve in said first feeder conduit; a first bleeder conduit connected with said first conduit and with said first bleeder valve, there being a first bleeder timing valve in said first bleeder conduit; a check valve controlled emergency pressure relief conduit connected between said source of pressure fluid and said first conduit, the check valve opening away from said first conduit; a second feeder conduit connected between said source of pressure fluid and said second conduit an dhaving said second feeder valve therein, said second feeder conduit having a second charger timing valve therein; a second bleeder conduit connected between said second conduit and said second bleeder valve, there being a second bleeder timing valve in said second bleeder conduit; a lubricant in each said lubricator reservoir; and a mechanical counter operated by force of said piston, whereby grad ually augmented pressure fiuid force is exerted at ternately upon one end of said piston and then upon the other while pressure fluid force is dissipated from the opposite end and the operations are numbered.

3. In a flow intermitter of the class described: right and left end aligned and spaced cylinders; a piston member having one of its ends slidable in one of said cylinders and having its other end slidable in the other of said cylinders; a lubricator reservoir upon the outer end of each of said cylinders; a platform located in spaced relation to said piston; a first feeder valve, a first bleeder valve, a second feeder valve, and a second bleeder valve upon said platform; means for operating said feeder and bleeder valves by said piston, one feeder valve and one bleeder valve being open while the other feeder valve and the other bleeder valve are closed; first and second receivers for pressure fluid; an initial equalizing conduit connecting said receivers; a source of pressure fluid; two valves in said conduit, said conduit having connection between said valves with said source of pressure fluid; a first conduit connecting said first receiver and one of said lubricator reservoirs;

a second conduit connecting said second receiver and 'the other said lubricator reservoir; 9, first feeder conduit connected into said source of pressure fluid, with both ends of said first feeder valve, and with said first conduit, there being a first chargertirning valve in said first feeder conduit; a first bleeder conduit connected with said first conduit and with said first bleeder valve, there being a first bleeder timing 'valve in said first bleeder conduit; a check valve controlled emergency pressure relief conduit connected between said source of pressure fluid and said first conduit, the check valve opening away from said first conduit; a second feeder conduit connected between said source of pressure fluid and said second conduit and having said second feeder valve therein, said second feeder conduit having ase'cond charger timing valve therein; a second bleeder conduit connected between said second conduit and said second bleeder valve, there being a second bleeder timing valve in said second bleeder conduit; and a mechanical counter operated by force of said piston, whereby gradually augmented pressure fluid force is exerted alternately upon one end of said piston and then upon the other while pressure fluid force is dissipated from the opposite end and a record of the number of operations is shown.

4. In a flow intermitter of the class described: right and left end aligned cylinders; a piston member'having one of its ends slidable in one of said cylinders' and having its other end slidable in the other of said cylinders; a lubricator reservoir upon the end of each of'sai'd cylinders; a first feeder valve, a firstbleeder valve, a second feeder valve, and a second bleeder valve, each secured in spaced relation to said piston; means for operating said feeder and bleeder valves by said piston, one feeder valve and one bleeder valve being open while the other feeder valve and the other bleeder valve are closed; first and scond receivers for pressure fluid; an initial equalizing conduit connecting said receivers; a source of pressure fluid; two valves in said conduit, said conduit having connection between said valves with said' source of pressure fluid; a first conduit connecting said first receiver and one of said lubricator reservoirs; a second conduit connecting said second receiver and the other said lubricator reservoir; a first feeder conduit connected into said source of pressure fluid, with both ends of said first feeder valve, and with said first conduit, there being a first charger timing valve in said first feeder conduit; a first bleeder conduit connected with said first conduit and with said first bleeder valve, there being a first bleeder timing valve in said first bleeder conduit; a check valve controlled emergency pressure relief conduit connected between said source of pressure fluid and said first conduit; a second feeder conduit connected between said source of pressure fluid and said second conduit and having said second feeder valve therein, said second feeder conduit having a second charger timing valve therein; a second bleeder conduit connected between said second conduit and said second bleeder valve, there being a second bleeder timing valve in said second bleeder conduit; and a mechanical counter operated by force of said piston, whereby gradually augmented pressure fluid force is exerted alter nately upon one end of said piston and then upon the other while pressure fluid force is dissipated from the opposite end and a record is made showing the number of each operation.

5. In a flow intermitter of the class described:

right and left end aligned cylinders; a .piston member having one of its ends sliclablewinxxone of said cylinders nd having itsotherend slidable in the other of said cylinders; a lubricator reservoir upon the end of each of said cylinders; a source of pressure fluid; a first feeder valve,. a first bleeder valve, a second feeder valve, and'a second bleeder valve, each secured in spacedrelation to said piston; means for operating said feeder and bleeder valves by said piston, one feeder valve and one bleeder valve-being open while the other feeder valve and the other bleeder valve are closed; first and second receivers for pressure fluid; means for initially charging said receivers with pressure fluid a first conduit connecting said first receiver and one of said lubricator reservoirs; a second conduit connecting said second receiver and the other said lubricator reservoir; a first feeder conduit adapted forconnecting into said source of pressure fluid, with both ends of first feeder valve, and with said first conduit, there being a first charger timing valve in said first feeder conduit; 2, first bleeder conduit connected with said first conduit and with said first bleeder valve, there being a first bleeder timing valve in said firstbleeder conduit; 3, second feeder conduit connected between said source of P1265- sure fluid and said second conduit and having said second feeder valve therein, said second feeder conduit having a'second charger timing valve therein; a second bleeder conduit connected between said second conduit and said second bleeder valve, there being a second bleeder tun? ing valve in said second bleeder conduit; and a mechanical counter operated by force of said piston, whereby gradually augmented pressure fluid force is exerted alternately upon one end of said piston and then upon the other while pressure fluid force is dissipated from the opposite end, and the operations are numbered in sequence;

6. In a flow intermitter of the class described: right and left end aligned cylinders; a piston member having one of its ends slidable in one of said cylinders and having its other end slidable in the other of said cylinders; alubricator res,- ervoir upon the end of each of said cylinders; a source of pressure fluid; a first feeder valve, a first bleeder valve, a second feeder valve, and a second bleeder valve, each secured in spaced re: lation to said piston; means for operating said feeder and bleeder valves by said piston, one feeder valve and one bleeder valve being open while the other feeder valve and the other bleeder valve are closed; first and second receivers; means for initially charging said receivers with pressure fluid; a first conduit connecting said first receiver and one of said cylinders; a second conduit connecting said second receiver and the other said cylinders; a first feeder conduit adapted for connecting into said source of pressure fluid, with both ends of said first feeder valve, and with said first conduit, there being a first charger timing valve in said first feeder conduit; a first bleeder conduit connected with said first conduit and with said first bleeder valve, there being a first bleeder timing valve in said first bleeder conduit; a second feeder conduit connected between said source of pressure fluid and said second conduit and having said second feeder valve therein, said second feeder condiut having a second charger timing valve therein; and a second bleeder conduit connected between said second conduit and said second bleeder valve, there being a second bleeder timing valve therein, whereby gradually augmented pressure fluid force is exerted alternately upon one end of said piston and then upon the other while pressure fluid force is dissipated from the opposite end.

7. In a flow intermitter of the class described: right and left end aligned cylinders; a piston member having one end slidable in one of said cylinders and the other end slidable in the other of said cylinders; means for lubricating said piston and cylinders; a source of pressure fluid; a first feeder valve, a first bleeder valve, a second feeder .valve, and a second bleeder valve, each secured in spaced relation to said piston; means for operating said feeder and bleeder valves by said piston, one feeder valve and one bieeder valve being open while the other feeder valve and the other bleeder valve are closed; a first conduit connecting one of said cylinders with said source of pressure fluid; a second conduit connecting the other said cylinder and said source of pressure fluid; a first feeder conduit connect-- ed into said source of pressure fluid, with both ends of said first feeder valve and with said first conduit; a first bleeder conduit connected with said first conduit and with said first bleeder valve; a second feeder conduit connected between said source of pressure fluid and said second conduit and having said second feeder valve therein; and a second bleeder conduit connected between said second conduit and said second bleeder valve, whereby said piston is driven alternately in opposite directions to operate said valves as described.

8. In a flow intermitter, the improvement which includes: a piston within a cylinder; an assembly of four valves arranged in pairs and in spaced relation to said piston, one valve of each pair being a feeder valve supplying pressure to one end of said piston, and the other a bleeder valve discharging pressure fluid from the other end; means upon said piston and valves to open one of each said pair while closing the other of each said pair; a first pair of conduits having pressure fluid therein, said conduits being connected to opposite ends of said cylinder; a second pair of conduits connected to one of said first pair of conduits and having pressure fluid therein; and a third pair of conduits connected to the other of said first pair of conduits and having pressure fiuid therein, said pairs of conduits and valves being arranged so that pressure fluid will be alternately admitted to and discharged from opposite ends of said cylinder.

9. In a flow intermitter for a well; a cylinder having a piston therein; first and second pairs of feeder and bleeder valves in spaced relation to said piston; first and second conduits, the first connected to one end of said cylinder and the second to the other end; and means upon said piston to alternately open one valve of both said pairs and simultaneously close the other two so as to increase the pressure within one of said conduits and simultaneously decrease the pressure within the other to successively force said piston in opposite directions for purposes described.

10. In a fiow intermitter, the improvement which includes: a high pressure supply line; two pairs of valves, each pair comprising a charger and a bleeder valve; a piston and a cylinder in spaced relation to said pairs of valves; means upon said piston to open and close said valves, one of each said pair opening while the others of said pairs close; a first conduit for pressure fluid upon one end of said cylinders; a second conduit for pressure fluid upon the other end of said cylinder; pressure fluid feeder means for said first and second conduits, said feeder means being controlled by one of each said pairs of valves; and bleeder means upon both said conduits, said bleeder means being controlled by the other one of each said pairs of valves, said feeder and bleeder means being adapted to alternately increase and decrease the pressure fluid contacting opposite ends of said piston to successively move same in opposite directions to successively open and close all said valves.

ALEXANDER BOYN'ION.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Niunber Name Date 252,900 Rensink Jan. 31, 1382 535,142 Lorimer et a1. Mar. 5, 1895 766,243 Griininger Aug. 2, 1904 1,593,769 Kemp Jul 27, 1926 2,133,170 Johnson Oct. 11, 1938 2,232,449 Habenicht Feb. 18, 1941 2,262,750 Boynton Nov. 18, 1941 2,263,565 Boynton Nov. 25, 1941 2,283,313 Brockson May 19, 1942 

